[Ding! System Mission Released!]
Mission 1: Obtain the Canalave Gym Badge
Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy ×5, Steel Wing (Permanent TM), High-Quality Metal Coat ×1
Mission 2: Use Sinnoh-region Pokémon to win the Canalave Gym Battle
Reward: Intermediate Rare Candy ×5, Steel-Type Permanent TM (Self-Selected), Random Pokémon Item ×1
Looking at the missions released by the system, Gary immediately understood the implication behind them. The number of Intermediate Rare Candy rewards wasn't particularly high, which meant one thing—Byron had no intention of going all out from the start. This would be a standard Gym challenge conducted strictly according to League rules.
This should be over quickly, Gary thought calmly.
"Gym Leader Byron," Gary said confidently, stepping forward. "Please send out your first Pokémon."
The moment his words fell, Byron's expression sharpened.
Without hesitation, Byron snapped his wrist and hurled his Poké Ball forward with the power and precision of a seasoned athlete, like a baseball pitcher throwing a fastball.
"Go! Bronzor!"
Flash—!
A metallic gleam filled the battlefield as a flat, ancient bronze mirror-like Pokémon materialized in midair, its strange circular body etched with mysterious runes. It floated silently, rotating ever so slightly as psychic energy rippled across its surface.
Bronzor!
"Bronnn—zorrr…"
[Bronzor | Lv. 36 | Gym Pokémon]
Gary's eyes flicked over the battlefield briefly before he casually reached for his own Poké Ball.
"Rhyperior," Gary said lightly, a faint grin appearing on his face. "Let's get started."
Flash—!
With a thunderous crash, a massive armored Pokémon slammed onto the arena floor. Rock plates layered over dense muscle, orange markings glowing faintly across its gray hide. The sheer weight of its arrival caused the battlefield to tremble.
Rhyperior!
"RHY—PHIII—ORRRR!!"
[Rhyperior | Lv. 62 | Champion-Tier]
The crowd gasped.
Even Byron's eyes widened slightly.
"Rhyperior…!" Byron muttered, visibly surprised. "That's quite a powerhouse."
Rhyperior was Rock/Ground-type, which at first glance seemed like a questionable choice against a Steel-type Gym. But Byron quickly realized that Gary hadn't made a mistake—Ground-type moves were a direct counter to Steel.
Earlier that morning, Gary had already done his research. Byron specialized in Steel-type Pokémon, and every decision Gary made was deliberate.
"Gary," Byron said slowly, crossing his arms. "You do know Steel-types resist Rock-type attacks, right?"
"Of course," Gary replied calmly. "But Rhyperior is Ground-type as well—and Ground beats Steel."
Byron laughed heartily.
"Hah! Interesting! Then let's see whose Pokémon has the advantage! Bronzor—Flash Cannon!"
Bronzor's surface glowed silver as intense energy gathered at its center. A blinding beam of metallic light shot forward, slicing through the air with piercing force.
"Rhyperior—Stone Edge!"
Rhyperior stomped heavily, roaring as jagged stone blades erupted from the ground and launched forward at terrifying speed.
KRAAASH!!
The Stone Edge tore straight through the Flash Cannon, shattering the beam mid-air. One of the rock blades struck Bronzor directly, sending it flying backward.
Bronzor spun violently in midair.
"Bron—ZOR—!!"
Its level gap was simply too great. Although the initial blow knocked it back, the scattered debris accidentally disrupted the remaining stone blades, allowing Bronzor to narrowly avoid a direct follow-up hit.
Gary didn't hesitate.
"Finish it—Thunderbolt!"
Rhyperior slammed its fists together as crackling golden electricity surged across its body. A massive bolt of lightning descended from above, striking Bronzor with a deafening roar.
BOOOOM!!
"Bron—ZORR…!"
Bronzor fell to the ground, smoke rising from its body, eyes spiraling.
"Bronzor is unable to battle! Rhyperior wins!" announced the Gym referee.
Byron stared at the battlefield for a moment, then chuckled.
"Well then… you're no ordinary challenger."
His expression hardened as he reached for another Poké Ball.
"This time, I won't hold back. Go—Steelix!"
FLASH—!
A massive steel serpent burst forth, nearly ten meters long, its metallic body crashing down with immense force.
Steelix!
"STEEL—LIIIX!"
[Steelix | Lv. 46 | Gym Pokémon]
Steelix's level far exceeded Bronzor's. It was clear now—Bronzor had merely been a test.
"Steelix—Iron Tail!" Byron ordered decisively.
Steelix surged forward, its massive tail glowing with brilliant silver light. Using its length and weight, it swung the tail like a wrecking ball.
Gary didn't flinch.
"Catch it," he said calmly. "And grab it."
"What?!" Byron's eyes widened. "You're going to take it head-on?!"
Rhyperior!
"RHY—PHIII—OR!!"
Rhyperior roared and spread its arms wide, bracing itself. Steelix's Iron Tail slammed into Rhyperior's body with a metallic crash—but instead of being knocked back, Rhyperior seized the tail with overwhelming strength.
CLANG!!
Steelix froze.
"STEEL—?!"
Byron stared in disbelief.
"He… caught it?!"
"Now—throw it!" Gary commanded.
Rhyperior roared again and heaved upward with terrifying power. Steelix's massive body was ripped from the ground and hurled into the air, spinning helplessly.
"STEELIIIIX—!!"
"Rhyperior—Drill Run!"
Rhyperior's body spun violently as earth energy wrapped around it like a raging storm. It launched upward like a living drill.
"Steelix—Take Down!" Byron shouted desperately.
Steelix twisted its body mid-air, ramming downward with everything it had.
BOOOOM—!!!
The collision shook the entire arena.
But the outcome was clear.
Steelix was blasted across the battlefield, crashing into the far wall and carving a deep crater into solid stone. Its eyes spun uncontrollably as it slid down, completely unconscious.
"Steelix is unable to battle! Rhyperior wins!" the referee declared.
Byron recalled Steelix silently, his expression composed but serious.
"…You really are strong," Byron admitted. "A Trainer like you could easily stand among Sinnoh's best."
Gary blinked. "Sinnoh?"
Byron frowned. "Didn't you say you were from Paldea?"
"No," Gary corrected politely. "I'm from Kanto."
"…Then why do you have a Cyclizar?"
"Oh, that?" Gary smiled. "I visited Paldea before. Bought it in Mesagoza."
Byron laughed.
"Hah! That explains it. Very well—this next one is my ace. Go—Bastiodon!"
FLASH—!
A massive shield-faced Pokémon appeared, its body like a living fortress of stone and steel.
Bastiodon!
"BAS—TEE—OOO—DON!"
[Bastiodon | Lv. 49 | Elite Potential]
Gary's eyes narrowed slightly.
Elite potential… impressive.
"Rhyperior—Drill Run!"
Rhyperior surged forward once more, earth energy roaring around it.
"Bastiodon—Iron Defense!" Byron countered.
Bastiodon roared as metallic energy coated its body, its defensive power skyrocketing.
KRAAASH!!
Rhyperior slammed head-on into Bastiodon's shield-like face. The impact forced Bastiodon backward several meters, shattering stone beneath its feet—but it held its ground.